RAMS’ Director of Rugby Seb Reynolds admitted it was the hardest selection his coaching staff have ever had as his side get set for tomorrow’s National One curtain-raiser at home to Birmingham Moseley (3pm).

Following two months of pre-season in which Rams beat Bracknell and Aberavon before losing to Lansdowne and Cork Constitution, the first squad of the season sees starting debuts for Cornwall captain Fraser Honey at fly-half and back row Mike Hoyt on the blind-side.

New recruit Ben Atkins is also on the bench, while there are milestone matches for Connor Stapley, who makes his 100th appearance, and hooker Max Hayman, who collects a 50th cap in his burgeoning young career.

More than four months on from the previous league outing at Esher, Seb admitted there hasn’t really been much of a break as his side get set for battle against the Midlanders.

He explained: “The new season always brings excitement, and it comes round quickly. You never truly stop, during the off-season period you’re planning, looking at recruitment and retention, then you’re into pre-season which you think is going to be a long slog, but that then goes fast and suddenly the first game is upon us.

“The lads have worked incredibly hard, so it’s great to have a home game first up against a quality opposition.

“You can see cohesion in what Birmingham have done (in the off-season) – from what we’ve seen it looks like they’ve leaned into some of their strengths from last year and they want to be competing at the top, so it’s going to be a fantastic test.

“Tomorrow’s squad is the hardest selection we’ve ever and there are so many lads pushing who are disappointed, but that’s only a positive – it shows the depth we’ve got.

“The ones who have missed out are competitive lads, but their attitude won’t drop, it’s a long season and we’ll need everyone.”

Paddy Harris, Hayman and Paul Englezos make up a youthful front row supported by Stapley and Dan Swain behind them, Hoyt, James McRae and skipper Robbie Stapley completing the pack.

Honey is partnered by Ollie Cole at half-back, with Andrew Humberstone and Axel Kalling-Smith in midfield, Jak Rossiter, Zach Clow and Henry Bird rounding out the side.

Props Ryan Lomas and James Baker are on the bench with Atkins, Ollie Monye and Ellis Jones finishing the 20-man squad.

Commenting on his debutants, Seb said: “Fraser’s attitude and commitment has been first class, he’s been excellent in pre-season, very solid and understanding of who he is as a player. He’s already a very positive voice among the side and I wish him all the best for the season.

“Mike has been superb. He could have been frustrated after last year because he joined us as a prominent top-end University player who then didn’t get a first-team game, but he stuck at it, has performed, works incredibly hard and now he gets his shot.

“Ben got better and better against Aberavon and did well in Ireland. He’s a very good footballer with an impressive skill-set who can also throw in, play in different positions across the back row and it’s hugely valuable to the squad.

“He’s been a breath of fresh air, as all the new signings have been with their positivity.”

A little further along the scale are the centurion and 50-cap man Max, with Seb stating: “I played with Connor so that shows how long he’s been here – he’s been a brilliant servant whose played in the second or back row and he’s an outstanding line-out forward, a great chop tackler and his work-rate round the park is second to none.

“With Max, Andy Spack said to me ‘I think I’ve got you the new Ben Henderson’, and while they’re very different players, they’re both amazing.

“For him to get to 50 caps this early on is a real eye-opener – we held him back from the first team for a while – but he’s just developed and developed to become a fantastic National One player.”

Crowd numbers have continued to grow in recent years – up to an average of 753 last season – and Seb is optimistic for another lively afternoon.

He ended: “It should be a terrific atmosphere – Moseley have excellent travelling backing, but the Rams supporters are growing in number and are enjoying seeing fantastic rugby from boys from the area.

“We want to showcase what the sport is about, the toughest, most physical one you can do – it’s not for the faint-hearted, but if you want to come and see what it’s all about, please do!”

To book your tickets for tomorrow’s National One opener against Birmingham Moseley at £15 (£17.50 on the day), click here